Surge In Use Of AI By Northern Ireland Businesses

Businesses up and down Northern Ireland have had no hesitation in using the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to increase productivity and generate growth in their company. According to a recent report by Microsoft Ireland, in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin Business School, 88% of businesses here are using some form of AI technology.

We are certainly embracing this new technology here in NI. When it became clear that AI was going to be a big part of the world’s future there were very grave concerns that it would come at a big cost in terms of staff redundancies, but so far this doesn’t seem to have come to pass (although it is still early days). Instead it has enhanced working practices and made businesses more efficient and saved lots of time in getting jobs done.

AI To Increase Net Revenue And Give The Economy An Uplift

Here are some statistics from the survey, as copied from an article by Kurtis Reid on the Belfast Telegraph website:

‘More than half of those surveyed believe the technology could increase their organisation’s net revenue by between 30-70% in the next 12 months. A striking 93% said AI tools already in use were making a measurable impact, with 92% agreeing on the general usefulness of the technology.

‘The potential economic uplift for the UK as a whole is projected at 2.98% in real GDP by 2035, with Northern Ireland standing to gain significantly if adoption continues to accelerate.

‘While confidence in AI is growing, the report also highlights gaps in governance. The research found that 62% of organisations in Northern Ireland have no formal policy for the use of free AI tools, and only 8% actively prohibit them. Meanwhile, 30% are actively encouraging staff to experiment with freely available AI — pointing to a trend researchers call a ‘shadow AI culture’.

‘A significant 90% of senior leaders admit to using free AI tools themselves, while 70% are aware of staff doing the same, including 26% who report regular usage. Researchers say this openness to experimentation can support innovation, but it also presents risks when not matched by proper oversight or security protocols. To address this, 76% of organisations say they have already enhanced their data security measures. However, the report found a sense of frustration among leaders, with 80% saying government regulation is a barrier to adopting new technology.

‘AI skills and workforce readiness also emerged as key themes. Almost all (94%) of the Northern Ireland leaders surveyed said they expect to hire staff with AI expertise within the next one to three years. Encouragingly, 74% believe their existing teams can quickly get up to speed using AI in their daily work.

‘The research also shows a growing awareness of responsible AI practices. Over three-quarters (78%) believe their organisation takes a responsible approach to AI, while 82% say AI will help them meet their sustainability and ESG goals. Nearly a third of respondents (29%) are in the process of creating or have already developed a formal AI policy.

Embracing AI With Enthusiasm

‘However, the report paints a picture of a region that is embracing AI with enthusiasm, even as some challenges around governance, cost, and skills remain.

‘Northern Ireland’s access to both UK and EU markets, along with its growing tech ecosystem, puts it in a strong position to lead in AI innovation if these issues can be tackled head-on.

Also in the article, the general manager for Microsoft Ireland, Catherine Doyle, is quoted as saying:

“AI is increasingly recognised as a transformative technology, driving economic growth and innovation. This report highlights AI’s potential to revolutionise Northern Ireland’s economy,

“Northern Ireland is uniquely positioned to leverage AI’s capabilities, thanks to its vibrant tech ecosystem, government-backed initiatives, and access to both UK and EU markets.”